Birds of a Feather

Birds of a FeatherA Smithsonian best book of the year A Lensculture favorite book of the year Birds of a Feather is a photography series of portraits of live birds, set against opulent, historically inspired backdrops that refer to the decorative traditions of past centuries. This interplay of subject and setting invites reflection on themes of beauty, domestication, and the human impulse to collect and categorize the natural world. The books 120 color photographs and

A Smithsonian best book of the year
A Lensculture favorite book of the year

Birds of a Feather is a photography series of portraits of live birds, set against opulent, historically inspired backdrops that refer to the decorative traditions of past centuries. This interplay of subject and setting invites reflection on themes of beauty, domestication, and the human impulse to collect and categorize the natural world.

The book’s 120 color photographs and historical quotations weave a layered narrative that connects ornithology, art history, and ethical questions surrounding human-animal relationships. Drawing from traditions of scientific illustration and Victorian wallpaper, Birds of a Feather acknowledges both the admiration and the unintended consequences of human fascination. Spanning over a decade of work, this project evolved from a simple visual study into a deeper exploration of humanity’s complex relationship with nature. The portraits—whether of stoic falcons, rosy hued flamingos, or backyard chickens—highlight the individuality of each bird, revealing personalities as vivid as their plumage. The book ultimately asks: As we admire what nature has inspired in art, what might art do for nature in return?

Claire Rosen is an award-winning artist whose whimsical photography explores the intersection of history and nature, often featuring live animals in fantastical settings to spark conversation around conservation. She is a published author, speaker, and creative director of Warwick Furnace Farm, where she lives and runs her studio, artist residency program, and gallery.

Press:
Washington Post
Talking Animals, NPR
The Observer
Smithsonian Magazine
Lensculture
Fotocult
De Volkskrant
Amateur Photographer
About Photography
Colossal
Zero.Nine
DeMilked

Author: Claire Rosen
Co-Published with Warwick Editions
Essays: Femke Speelberg, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark
Editor: Beth Taubner, Mercurylab
Design: Caleb Cain Marcus, Luminosity Lab

ISBN: 979-8-9985632-0-1
Dimensions: 8.7 x 12.75 inches
Number of pages: 208 pages
Binding: Hardcover